Did Detroit Ownership Just OK a Live Lion on the Sidelines?

Live animal mascots are not unheard of in the National Football League.

Get our free mobile app

The Cleveland Browns have a purebred AKC bull mastiff.

The Denver Broncos have an Arabian horse.

Taima the Hawk, the live mascot for the Seattle Seahawks, even has his own Twitter account.

READ ALSO: Every Detroit Lions First Round Pick Since 2000

It's only fair that Detroit gets its own live mascot, too, right?

Well, Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell tried.

In an recent episode of the "Pardon My Take" podcast, Campbell confirmed that team owner Sheila Ford Hamp had given her green light to the idea.

"I would say Sheila was... she had no problem with it. But the league apparently frowns on those type of things," Campbell said.

RELATED: Detroit Lions Fans Can Stop Whining About NFL Not Respecting Them Now

So Detroit fans can blame the commish for there not being a live lion patrolling the sidelines at Ford Field?

"I'm not going to point out Roger (Goodell) on this. I'm just going to say that the league frowns on that - let's just say that," Campbell clarified, adding that the idea of a live lion would have probably added a little extra "motivation" for players.

"Frowns on" live mascots that could potentially get loose and maul players, coaches and spectators, we assume.

Whatever.

It's a little consolation to know that there are some other NFL teams that probably wouldn't get approved for live mascots either - like the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, or the Carolina Panthers.

Sure would be cool though.